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Richard Verma joins USISPF board of directors
This marks former ambassador Verma’s second tenure on the USISPF Board.
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Staff Reporter - Wed, 22, Oct 2025
- 16:48 EDT
- 28
Richard Verma / Wikipedia
The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) announced the appointment of Richard Verma, chief administrative officer of Mastercard, to its board of directors. This marks his second tenure on the board.
The announcement reinforces USISPF’s mission to deepen economic and strategic collaboration between the United States and India by engaging distinguished leaders from business and public service.
Also Read: Former Ambassador Richard Verma joins T. Rowe Price board
A diplomat, lawyer, and corporate leader, Verma brings decades of experience spanning government, foreign policy, and the private sector. He most recently served as Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources at the U.S. State Department from April 2023 to January 2025, and previously as U.S. Ambassador to India from 2014 to 2017.
As Deputy Secretary, Verma acted as the chief operating officer of the State Department, overseeing its global modernization efforts, strategic resource management, and foreign assistance operations. He played a key role in driving reforms to improve efficiency, transparency, and digital transformation within the department.
As Ambassador to India, Verma led one of the largest U.S. diplomatic missions in the world and helped deliver historic progress in defense cooperation, clean energy collaboration, trade, and people-to-people ties. He oversaw President Barack Obama’s landmark 2015 visit to India as the Republic Day chief guest—the first time a sitting U.S. President made two visits to India while in office.
Welcoming his appointment, USISPF president and CEO Mukesh Aghi said, “Few have done more for the U.S.-India relationship than Ambassador Verma. From his earliest days in public service to his leadership in the private sector, Rich has constantly worked to elevate this partnership. His story—from the son of Indian immigrants to a leading U.S. diplomat and global executive—epitomizes the people-to-people core of our relationship.”
Reflecting on his appointment, Verma said, “The U.S.-India relationship is a cornerstone of global progress, especially as business and innovation drive new opportunities. USISPF plays a vital role in strengthening the partnership and unlocking possibilities for both nations. It’s an honor to rejoin the board.”
Apart from diplomacy, Verma has also held prominent roles in policy and business. Currently as chief administrative officer for Mastercard, he oversees the company’s law, government affairs and policy, franchise, corporate security, and community and belonging functions, while serving as a member of the company’s executive leadership team and management committee.
He plays a key role in guiding Mastercard’s global strategy and public engagement, bridging business and policy at a global scale.
Before rejoining the State Department in 2023, he was chief legal officer and head of global public policy at Mastercard, vice chairman at The Asia Group, and a partner at the law firm Steptoe & Johnson LLP.
He has also served on the T. Rowe Price corporate board of directors and was recently appointed as an independent director, in addition to the Ford Foundation board.
Joining Verma on the USISPF board is Joakim Weidemanis, CEO of Johnson Controls, marking his first term. Weidemanis leads the company’s global mission to create smarter, safer, and more sustainable environments, leveraging digital technologies to accelerate energy efficiency, decarbonization, and operational excellence.
USISPF chairman John Chambers congratulated Verma and Weidemanis saying, “At USISPF, we continue to strive to add a roster of stellar talent to our Board of Directors. Rich and Joakim have very different backgrounds, but the same shared vision for our strategic partnership.”
“Their combined experience in business and diplomatic affairs will be crucial in the next chapter of the U.S.-India collaboration – particularly around next-gen technology, which we know is a key area of opportunity for partnership. I look forward to working with them and seeing what new perspectives they can bring to our important vision,” he added.
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